Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1903 — The Origin of Pyrography. [ARTICLE]

The Origin of Pyrography.

About a century ago an artist named Cranch was standing one day In front of a fire in his borne at Axmlnster. Over the fireplace was an oaken mantelpiece, and it occurred to Cranch that this expanse of wood might be improved by a little ornamentation. He picked np the poker, heated it red hot and began to sketch in a bold design. The result pleased him so much that he elaborated his work and began to attempt other fire pictures on panels of wood. These met with a ready sale, and Cranch soon gave all -his time to his new art This was the beginning of what Is now known as pyrography. The poker artist of today uses many different shaped tools and has a special furnace In which they are kept heated. The art has been elaborated greatly. The knots, curls and fibers of the wood are often worked Into the design and delicate tinting produced by scorching the panel.